The Eagle Express: First Quarter Newsletter

As first quarter closes, I'm proud of the work being done under this year's motto: "One Team, One Vision." Our teams have strongly focused on creating and delivering top-notch education through intentional collaboration. We could have just as easily said "Teamwork Makes the Dream Work," but it all comes back to the same idea: we are stronger when we're all pulling in the same direction for our students, and we see evidence of that every day across our district as students reach new successes and departments develop new programs.

For example, our three new Little Eagles Flight School classrooms for 4-year-olds have taken off at Royal Heights, Soaring Heights, and Irving Elementary schools, in addition to existing PreK classes at Joplin Early Childhood. Our experienced teachers are already making headway in these classrooms, and demand is sky-high with topped-out waiting lists of parents for whom a program like this would be a game-changer. We plan to explore further program expansion in order to meet this need, and will want your input - stay tuned!

Meanwhile, Joplin High School and Franklin Technology Center are collaborating internally and with community industries to revamp their approach to prepare students for life after graduation. In the near future, they'll be rolling out Career Academies that are strategically built to provide students with a real taste of their college and career options. They're also redefining what it means to earn a diploma, focusing on Market Value Assets like dual credit courses, internships, and hands-on community projects. We're excited about the ways this approach will engage students in choosing pathways to purpose for a great future.

Exciting times are ahead as we work together to give our students the best possible launch pad for success, and I'm grateful for your partnership through it all. Have a great rest of the semester, Eagles!

Dr. Kerry Sachetta, Superintendent

Help us plan improvements for our school facilities by completing a brief survey. Whether you are a district employee, student, parent, alumni, or community member, your voice matters for the future of Joplin Schools!

JHS seniors Sam Bowin and Christian Cavener have earned the distinction of being named National Merit Semifinalists thanks to their exceptionally strong academic scores on the PSAT during their Junior year, putting them in the top 1% of national test-takers. Now, these students will get to work submitting a detailed application about their academic record, participation in school and community activities, leadership abilities, employment, honors and awards as they pursue the next round of opportunities available to them through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Congratulations, Sam and Christian! We are so proud of you and wish you well as you pursue your post-secondary pathways!

We are so thankful for the recent Board approval of a paved practice field for our JHS Marching Band! Work was completed on this upgrade earlier this month.

Having this space ensures our band students can practice without encountering football, soccer, cheer, or track practices on the athletic department's turf fields. It also means band students and staff aren't scrambling to find a route through the school parking lots or hallways as they transport their often large and cumbersome show supplies for daily practice - the new field is right outside their Performing Arts Center doors.

Thank you for helping us invest in this program and the students it serves! Good luck, Eagle Pride Band, as you head into the end of your competition season!

You may have seen a fun new focus on attendance floating around in our social media stories lately - it's the Get Your Selfie to School campaign! We'll bring this frame to schools throughout the year to continue our district's focus on strong school attendance.

Strong attendance does not mean perfect attendance. We understand and support the need for students to stay home if they're sick (click here for details about when to stay home). Strong attendance means only missing when necessary, and being focused on attending 90% of the time - or better!

The data is clear: academic growth, social skills, GPAs, career readiness, and access to resources all improve when attendance is a priority. We love to see our students in school each day!

Keep an eye out for your students' chance to be highlighted in our Get Your Selfie To School campaign soon!

No more flyers lost in backpacks! Please bookmark and visit the new Community Bulletin Board at JoplinSchools.org/flyers for updated links to events and opportunities from local nonprofits and groups serving local families.

We hope this streamlines the information available to our families, and offers an easy, one-stop-shop for regional non-profits to publicize their events to our Eagles. Check back regularly as more flyers are always being added!